Saturday, July 16, 2011

Benefits to Support BreakOUT, Building the Power of LGBTQ Youth Most Impacted by the Criminal Justice System

From our friends at BreakOUT! and Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana:
On Sunday, June 12th the performers of Lucky Cheng's reunited for a spectacular show to benefit JJPL's project BreakOUT!, which fights the criminalization of LGBTQ youth in New Orleans.

Although the famed New Orleans Lucky Cheng's Drag Queen Cabaret Restaurant had closed many years ago, former bar manager and JJPL volunteer, Mary Horn, was constantly running into people that missed the unique campy glamour of Lucky Cheng's. Horn got in touch with performers Paloma, Bliss, Delicious, and Opal Van de Hurst, all of whom had worked at the New Orleans cabaret, and a reunion show to benefit a great cause was born.

In addition to the Lucky Cheng's alumni, BreakOUT! youth Kenisha, Jonathan, and Milan all gave impressive performances that garnered enthusiastic applause. The show, which was held at John Paul's bar, raised just shy of $3,000 for BreakOUT!, far exceeding the fundraiser's initial goal of $2,000.

Those who were unable to make the Lucky Cheng's event will have two other fun-filled chances this month to support BreakOUT!. New Orleans Ladies Arm Wrestling (NOLAW) is hosting a Steamy Summer Brawl tonight: Saturday, July 16th at 8 pm at the Rusty Nail, with proceeds to benefit BreakOUT!.

The following weekend, the Big Easy Roller Girls' bout featuring the All Stars vs. the Dixie Derby Girls will take place on Saturday, July 23rd at 7 pm at UNO's Human Performance Center; tickets range from $6 to $12 dollars, with a raffle to benefit BreakOUT!. We hope to see some of you out there for both a good time and support of a a good cause!

About BreakOUT!:
BreakOUT! builds the power of LGBTQ youth most impacted by the criminal justice system to affect concrete policy change regarding the criminalization of LGBTQ youth in New Orleans, LA.


Photo of JJPL Staff and Members of BreakOUT! by Ken Mizuhara

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